Path approved through Lejeune Memorial Gardens

By THOMAS BRENNAN Daily News Staff

Published: Friday, August 16, 2013 at 09:00 AM.

There are others who do not share her sentiments, however.

“There’s a lot of guys upset about it because they think it’s disrespectful, but I think it will draw people toward it,” said Dan Joy, a retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. and Beirut Bombing survivor. “This will make the memorials easily accessible to walkers, joggers or people on bikes.”

When Joy first heard about the project, he wasn’t as open to it as he is now, but once he looked at the schematics and walked the proposed path, he was impressed, he said.

Joe Houle of the Museum of the Marine and John Tate of the Montford Point Marine Association have no objections to the new construction.

“I think with proper landscaping, it can be aesthetically pleasing and not as bad as everyone is making it out to be,” Joy said. “There is one thing they need to do and it’s put up signs asking people to dismount their bikes or turn down their music to respect the solemnity of the gardens.

“People shouldn’t look down on this because the gardens aren’t done yet. There’s still many more monuments and museums to come.”

Thursday's approval of a trail through Lejeune Memorial Gardens has stirred mixed emotions.

The Lejeune Memorial Gardens Steering Committee voted Thursday afternoon to proceed with a project that will connect the trail, which is downtown, to the existing pedestrian bridge on Lejeune Boulevard. The path extends down N.C. 24 and soon will traverse LejeuneMemorialGardens between the Beirut Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial.

The trail’s construction will not affect existing and future monuments.

“The project is up for bid right now,” said Glenn Hargett, Jacksonville assistant city manager. “This is the last major section of trail that will run from downtown, through the overpass and down to the base entrance.”

The project, part of the Rails To Trails program, will be funded by the Department of Transportation, the federal government and the City of Jacksonville.

CampLejeune has granted the city easements to build the project, Hargett said.

The project has been approved since 2007, officials said, and has not faced objections. Public hearings have been held over the years and public comments were responded to accordingly, Hargett said.

The steering committee, which also began in 2007, consists of veterans organizations, such as the Montford Point Marine Association and the Beirut Memorial Association, according to base officials.

“This is one more way for people to enjoy LejeuneMemorialGardens,” Hargett said. “The decision was not made with malice or to offend anyone.”

The executive secretary for the Vietnam Memorial Foundation, Pat Walker, said she doesn’t feel like the trail should cut through, near or around any of the memorials.

“This garden should be peaceful,” said Walker, of Jacksonville. “It is in honor of men and women who gave their lives for this country. They are treating it like it’s a normal park. It is hallowed ground and this trail is just offensive.”

Walker is concerned about interruptions to people visiting the memorials to reflect. She also is concerned with noise the ceremonies could cause.

Walker said even though the path will be closed during ceremonies for 9/11 and the Beirut Bombing on Oct. 23, people shouldn’t be allowed to interrupt and drive through the frequent retirement and reenlistment ceremonies that occur there.

“I understand what they are trying to do — to bring more attention to the gardens,” Walker said. “This isn’t the way to do it. It’s disrespectful.”

There are others who do not share her sentiments, however.

“There’s a lot of guys upset about it because they think it’s disrespectful, but I think it will draw people toward it,” said Dan Joy, a retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. and Beirut Bombing survivor. “This will make the memorials easily accessible to walkers, joggers or people on bikes.”

When Joy first heard about the project, he wasn’t as open to it as he is now, but once he looked at the schematics and walked the proposed path, he was impressed, he said.

Joe Houle of the Museum of the Marine and John Tate of the Montford Point Marine Association have no objections to the new construction.

“I think with proper landscaping, it can be aesthetically pleasing and not as bad as everyone is making it out to be,” Joy said. “There is one thing they need to do and it’s put up signs asking people to dismount their bikes or turn down their music to respect the solemnity of the gardens.

“People shouldn’t look down on this because the gardens aren’t done yet. There’s still many more monuments and museums to come.”